Medications

Click a letter to see a list of medications beginning with that letter.

Poractant Alfa intratracheal suspension

What is this medicine?

PORACTANT ALFA is a lung surfactant. Our bodies need lung surfactant to keep the lungs open during breathing. This medicine is used to treat Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in babies who are born early.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is applied to the lungs through a breathing tube. It is administered in a hospital by a specially trained health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as newborn for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

breathing problems

change in blood pressure

symptoms of infection

unusual bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

slowed heart rate

What may interact with this medicine?

some inhaled antibiotics

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

an unusual or allergic reaction to poractant alfa, pork products, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives